Hello. I recently wrote a post asking about training in Latin America. There were a lot of excellent responses. However, trying to also ascertain what training is like in Puerto Rico. Figured I’d dedicate a post to it, as I am not finding much information on Slowtwitch that is recent. And what I can find is sparse. Most of what I find online talk about either the Half Iron or the Vuelta. Aside from that, trying to understand what it would be like for a vacation with my wife as well as for training. Would probably stay in San Juan for about 1/3 of the trip and then move to other locations.
Part of me is very curious as it is so close and easy to get to. We visit my family in Florida all the time and the thought of a Hilly Florida close-by, should the infrastructure/roads be safe, would love to vacation more.
Thanks for reading.
I was born and raised on the island but I haven’t lived there in many years. I still have family there and will be visiting this Summer. However, I would never, ever in a million years ride a bike anywhere in Puerto Rico. Like in most Latin American countries the rights of cyclists and pedestrians are the last thing on any driver’s mind. I think riding a bike is very dangerous there. However, I think running is fine as long as you know the areas to stay away from. If you are in mostly tourist or rural areas then running is ok. I would be careful running in inner city areas that you are unfamiliar about. And as for swimming there are a ton of beaches where you can go swim :-).
I would say Luquillo on the north-east side of the island (next to the Yunque rain forest) is one of the most swimmable beaches on the island. The beaches on the west of the island are better for surfing than for swimming.
Running in old San Juan (similar to the 70.3 course) is great but hilly. If was someone that was not familiar with the island I would stick to running in tourist areas close to resorts or in places like Old San Juan. And, sorry, I would not bike anywhere! BTW, Puerto Rico 70.3 has the dubious distinction of being the only Ironman event where a participant has been shot! It happened on the bike…
I was born and raised on the island but I haven’t lived there in many years. I still have family there and will be visiting this Summer. However, I would never, ever in a million years ride a bike anywhere in Puerto Rico. Like in most Latin American countries the rights of cyclists and pedestrians are the last thing on any driver’s mind. I think riding a bike is very dangerous there. However, I think running is fine as long as you know the areas to stay away from. If you are in mostly tourist or rural areas then running is ok. I would be careful running in inner city areas that you are unfamiliar about. And as for swimming there are a ton of beaches where you can go swim :-).
I would say Luquillo on the north-east side of the island (next to the Yunque rain forest) is one of the most swimmable beaches on the island. The beaches on the west of the island are better for surfing than for swimming.
Running in old San Juan (similar to the 70.3 course) is great but hilly. If was someone that was not familiar with the island I would stick to running in tourist areas close to resorts or in places like Old San Juan. And, sorry, I would not bike anywhere! BTW, Puerto Rico 70.3 has the dubious distinction of being the only Ironman event where a participant has been shot! It happened on the bike…
My company is based there so I have been a few times. You’ve nailed it pretty good!
Running around Old San Juan was pretty fun honestly but one part was pretty run down and coworkers told me that I probably shouldn’t have run in that section. You can run in the main tourist area with all of the hotels and restaurants too. I wouldn’t dare run anywhere else.
I think biking is a death wish. Driving there was pretty rough as people constantly pullout in front of you or cut you off. Coworkers said to assume every car will pullout or cut you off. That helped… I did see some bikers so I think there are some group rides but I don’t know the details.
You are correct, lots of beaches with ocean swimming. That was the best part.
My company is based there so I have been a few times. You’ve nailed it pretty good!
Running around Old San Juan was pretty fun honestly but one part was pretty run down and coworkers told me that I probably shouldn’t have run in that section. You can run in the main tourist area with all of the hotels and restaurants too. I wouldn’t dare run anywhere else.
I think biking is a death wish. Driving there was pretty rough as people constantly pullout in front of you or cut you off. Coworkers said to assume every car will pullout or cut you off. That helped… I did see some bikers so I think there are some group rides but I don’t know the details.
You are correct, lots of beaches with ocean swimming. That was the best part.
The only place that is dodgy in OSJ is La Pearla and I think you would know if you went there. It would be very hard to end up there on a run unless you were looking to score :). (See Despacito video below. That is where it was shot 
To the OP.
Running : Anywhere in Condado and OSJ is very safe. Most popular in the evenings is variations of the 70.3 run course or through Condado and around the lagoon etc.
There are two running tracks either. One near the transition of the 70.3 course and one the other side of Condado at Ocean Park.
Swimming : OWS on the ocean side of the lagoon. Either back to the side of the Caribe Hilton or the small beach at the Condado Plaza Hilton. Normally the lagoon where the 70.3 is, is mostly paddle boarders and canoes etc.
You can swim in the Natatorium either which is 25m / 50m pool which is free but you need to bring a medical cert from your doctor to get an admission card. A little dodgy around the entrance of the park so best to drive there. You can do lots or running in the sports complex grounds either (it is on a several hectares) and there is another running track there.
Cycling : From the city go out by Isla Verde and out past Pinones, Loiza and onto Rio Grande. Very flat but you can then cross the main road and take the route to El Yunque rain forest for some climbing. The west side of the city is the 70.3 course but I usually go east.
This route is extremely busy on Friday to Sunday mornings with cyclists. Cars are generally courteous.
The rest of the island is way too varied to give any specifics on.
https://youtu.be/kJQP7kiw5Fk